Playmaker brings out the best in his team-mates, say WhoScored stats
Tuesday 21 April 2015 23:15, UK
Real Madrid will be without Luka Modric when they take on foes Atletico in Wednesday's Champions League quarter-final decider and the stats say the absence of the little Croat could have a far-reaching impact.
Carlo Ancelotti's side suffered two real blows at the weekend, with their fans hoping they don't lead to a knockout at the hands of their fierce local rivals.
Gareth Bale suffered a calf injury that looks set to keep him sidelined for a few weeks while there are fears that an injury-ravaged campaign for Modric may well have come to a premature end. WhoScored.com look into just how crucial the playmaker has been for the European champions this season, and whether his unavailability could prove costly...
Having only returned to action after a four-month lay off last month the Croatia national team doctor has criticised Carlo Ancelotti for overworking the midfielder, leading to knee ligament damage.
The fact is that it was needs must for the Madrid manager at the time, with his side faltering at the time of Modric's comeback. Much of Real's struggles were attributed to the fact that, without the Croatian, they were not controlling games as you would expect, with a number of their highest profile players seemingly suffering in the playmaker's absence.
Impact on Bale
Cristiano Ronaldo and Bale were chief among them, with the latter perhaps missing the presence of Modric for more than just his ability to spot and pick out the Welshman's runs in behind. Following a world-record transfer fee Bale's ability to settle into his new surroundings was under scrutiny from the get-go.
The fact, then, that a familiar face in the form of former Spurs teammate Modric was there to greet him will no doubt have made things easier. With the midfielder out of the side for such long periods this season, Bale has begun to look a little lost amid the superstars of the Bernabeu, with his relationship on the field with Ronaldo, in particular, coming under the spotlight.
Modric may only have registered four assists across the league and Champions League this season, with two of those teeing up Bale strikes, but when the Croat has been in the side the Welsh international has looked far more comfortable. Much of Bale's apparent failings in front of goal this season - which have been exaggerated, given a tally of 15 goals in La Liga and Europe combined - came in matches that Modric missed due to injury.
Indeed, in the 15 matches that the pair have featured together in all competitions since La Liga’s recommence this season, Gareth Bale has scored eight goals (0.53 per game). In comparison, in the 24 matches that Bale has played without Modric he has netted seven times, at a far less impressive 0.29 per game. The forward's WhoScored.com rating of 7.63 from the matches he has played alongside Modric this season drops significantly to 7.26 in those appearances without him.
Poor substititutes?
It isn't just Bale, however, who will miss Modric's presence once he returns from injury. The players in line to replace the 29-year-old just don't come close to his standards, or at least haven't in the current campaign.
With Xabi Alonso leaving for Bayern Munich, Ancelotti was left with just four senior out-and-out central midfielders. In the absence of Modric, Isco has played in a deeper role than usual for much of this season, alongside ever-present Toni Kroos, while Sami Khedira, Asier Illarramendi and January signing Lucas Silva have been limited to bit-part roles.
With Modric's rating from WhoScored.com up at 7.48 in La Liga this season, Illarramendi (6.57), Silva (6.39) and Khedira (6.30) have paled in comparison. Deemed very strong at both passing and dribbling according to WhoScored's characteristics, as well as strong at long shots, taking set pieces, key passes and defensive contribution. You'd have to combine all of the statistical strengths of the aforementioned trio hoping to replace Modric together to have as many.
With the midfield battle likely to be key to the outcome against Atletico on Wednesday, Diego Simeone will fancy his chances of avoiding defeat for the eighth successive match against Real Madrid. The Argentine is on a mission, and without Modric to deal with on the opposing side that mission looks far from impossible.
All statistics courtesy of WhoScored.com, where you can find more stats, including live in-game data and unique player and team ratings. You can follow all the scores, statistics, live player and team ratings with their new free-to-download app
Watch Real Madrid v Atletico Madrid from 7pm on Sky Sports 5 HD on Wednesday.
